CID probe exposes 'jobs for marriage' scam in KPSC

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), which is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department of police for allegedly putting up lucrative posts for sale to prospective candidates, has more problems in hand.

Investigations have revealed that some KPSC officials and members were also hand in glove with touts to engineer 'jobs for marriage' scam.

In the corridors of Udyoga Soudha that houses the KPSC office, the 'jobs for marriage' scam is popularly known as Taalibhagya Yojane in Kannada, and it benefited three stakeholders - meritorious job seekers, KPSC officials and parents of rich brides.

According to the probe, more than 50 candidates, who secured Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) cadre jobs during the last five years, have been beneficiaries of Taalibhagya Yojane.

If a poor candidate scores high marks in the preliminary and mains examination and has the possibility of making it to the Grade 'A' post (KAS) after the personality test round, the names of such candidates are released to parents of prospective brides.

The top posts were allegedly being auctioned or sold to the candidates by the KPSC though they secured high marks.

In such circumstances, the prospective bride's parents would strike a deal with the candidates. The bride's parents would pay KPSC members the "bribe amount" so that the candidate gets a high score in the personality test round and becomes a KAS officer. In return, the candidate will have to marry the daughter of the bribe payer.

Sources said parents of brides were "fixing jobs" for their prospective sons-in-law because a KAS officer in Karnataka was considered next only to IAS.

"We found out that jobs were fixed in exchange for marriage and money for the last five years. We are gathering evidence... We suspect that more than Rs 200 crore has exchanged hands in fixing jobs and marriages," a senior CID officer said.